If You Use Tobacco and Live in Arizona, Insurance Giant Humana Inc. Won't Hire You

​Starting July 1, if you use tobacco and live in Arizona, don't even think about applying for a job at insurance giant Humana -- it doesn't want you.

The company announced yesterday that it will begin testing potential employees at its five Arizona work locations for nicotine (yes...nicotine).

"Humana is dedicated to helping our associates take charge of their own health and to provide our associates with a tobacco-free worksite," stated Charles Cox, vice president and market medical officer for Humana in Arizona, Nevada and Utah. "We believe personal responsibility and healthy lifestyles are critical components of solving our country's health care cost crisis and improving workplace productivity."

Tobacco products banned under the new hiring policy include cigarettes, pipes, chewing tobacco, and cigars.

As part of the policy, Humana will test the urine of job applicants' to see if they test positive for nicotine. After that, employees are required to "self report" tobacco use.

If an employee hired under the new policy is dumb enough to out their tobacco use, they must "actively participate in a tobacco-cessation program."

Current employees, however, can still use tobacco products, and will not have their urine tested for nicotine. However, they are encouraged "to enroll in the tobacco-cessation program, which is available at no cost to associates."

In 2009, Humana implemented a similar program in its Ohio offices. However, they didn't refuse to hire tobacco users, rather, they just forced new hires to participate in a "tobacco-cessation program."

According to Humana, that policy's been fairly successful -- a survey of 2010 tobacco-cessation program participants in Ohio shows that 89 percent of participants established a quit date, 89 percent were tobacco-free for a period of time, and 78 percent currently are tobacco-free.

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oddly enough i really dont have a problem with this. they are an insurance company and they have to set the example if they are gonna backhand every claim that comes their way. it is fucking bullshit that employees cant enjoy a cigar from time to time in the comfort of their own home off company time. i just hope it isnt a slippery slope that leads into outright nazism. these companies are able to get away with more and more heinousness because of republican economic policy, republican fiscal policy, republican monetary policy, overpopulation, and illegal mexicans are a crowbar against worker's rights and the well being of the american citizen.

Yesooo, I am proud of my natural black lace wigs, but there is no way that I am ready to spend 3 hours or more of my life through the rigors of making it presentable. My hair is natural all the way (I do relax my front wigsand never have) but there is not much I can do with natural hair shoulder length without looking like a woman parading newly disturbed "Ahiaeke. " I give kudos to thoes who have no qualms to relax their hair extensions or thoes who spend up to 6 hours braiding wigs and keep for months without washing every week.

You guys should stop complaining because, one the health care we have now isnt as good as it was supposed to be. also the law has just been signed so give it some time. so if u want to say u have the right to choose tell that to ur congress men or state official. If you do not have insurance and need one You can find full medical coverage at the lowest price search online for "Penny Health Insurance" If you have health insurance and do not care about cost just be happy about it and trust me you are not going to loose anything!

It's simply a condition of employment. If you wish to work for Humana you will have to give up smoking to be hired. If not, you need to apply where smoking is allowed. No one forces anyone to apply there.

If this is the case, I don't think they should hire fat people who sit at their desk eating all day. The last thing I want to see is some fat broad wearing spandex at her cubicle stuffing her face with chips and whatever else happens to fall into the event horizon of her mouth. This is what the typical call center personel looks like. What about people that drink? I think alcohol is just as dangerous as tobacco, but I'll bet you if you were to go to their company sponsored Christmas party the drinks would be flowing. Why is it that our places of employment want to dictate to us what we can and can't do in our own private time? Work places seem to have a policy to leave home out of the workplace, but don't want to leave the workplace out of the home.

What about people who don't exercise? You want to work here, that'll be a two mile run - on your time. No more than 12 minutes in the Sun without approved sun block. No you can't ride a motorcycle. Or a horse. (We test for horse dander.)

This stuff is just none of the employer's business. Job performance and other effects on the company is the company's only legitimate concern.

How will they distinguish between a light smoker and a heavy dose of second hand smoke? When will they stop hiring people who eat cheese puffs and pork rinds? Red meat? I guess Big Brother is OK when it's corporate.

I hope they go after fat people next. I worked next to a fatty once and I had to listen to that lard bucket gasp for air all day long. and the stench! omg, you think smokers smell bad? fat people can't always reach all of the nooks and crannies when showering, so the bacteria builds up amongst the unwashed rolls of flesh and gives off the most noxious odor.

If you think you are going to get good non-group health insurance, for cheap or otherwise, you are headed for trouble. Non-group, individual policies are the scratch-and-sniff armpit of the industry, and the industry itself is pretty rotten.

Realistically, Tommy, the desperate need for a job forces people to apply there.

I've worked for a few insurance companies. I don't think anyone would do it if they didn't have to.

I think this is a gross invasion of privacy. But then, I think employers that piss-test for drugs are generally invading privacy. If your job performance is up to par, what you do in your off hours should be your business.